You must apply to a trustworthy man; your own lawyer, for instance, may be able to procure you a good mortgage." "Then you really know of none ?" said the baron, secretly hoping that he did.
"I know of none," was the positive reply; "but if you wish, I can inquire; there are always some to be had.

Your lawyer can tell you what he would consider good security; only you would have to pay down the sum total in case you procured it from him, whereas, if you could get one from a commercial man, you might make a profit of some thousands." Now this profit was a most important point to the baron, and his mind was made up to realize it if possible.

But he only said, "There is no hurry; should you hear of any thing desirable, you can let me know." "I will do all I can," was the cautious reply; "but it will be well that the baron should also make inquiries himself, for I am not accustomed to deal in mortgages." If this assertion were not strictly true, it was, at all events, politic, for the cool indifference of the tradesman increased the baron's confidence in him tenfold.

The following day he went to town, and had a consultation with his lawyer, who strongly advised him to give up the idea of making any such profit as he contemplated, because such a mortgage would infallibly prove insecure.

But this good advice only confirmed the baron in his intention of taking his own way in the matter.
A few days later, a tall stout man, with a shining red face, called upon the baron--a Mr.Pinkus, from the capital.